I had a surprise return to the San Juan Capistrano Mission in January, a renowned historic landmark and museum just north of San Diego. The first time I walked through its grounds, I was only a teenager and remember the sacred-ness of the place, although I wouldn’t have described it that way at 15. It was founded more than two hundred years ago as the 7th of 21 missions statewide and features a chapel still standing where Saint Serra once celebrated Mass.
San Juan Capistrano Mission
Today, it embraces its diverse roots, from Native American and Spanish to Mexican and European heritages. It was originally built as a self sufficient community by Spanish Padres and Native Americans, and it served as a center for agriculture, industry, education and religion. It is apparently famous for the annual return of the swallows, although I experienced it.
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
It’s a very large area to explore, from the Courtyard (1776), the Soldiers Barracks (1790’s), the Mission’s Historic Cemetery (1777), The West Garden (1790’s), the Bell Wall (1813) and more. You can go into the South Wing Museum Rooms to see what it was like to live as a Padre. There’s a grinding stone which was used to ground acorns for food and the kitchen gives you an idea of what life may have been like. There’s also a Mission Clubhouse which features hands-on activities that teach about the Ajachemen people’s culture and traditions.
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
At the Mission, they have a variety of bell ringing rituals. The last full blooded Acjachemen bell ringer was slated to be Jose de Garcia Cruz (1922). In 2013, the Mission began ringing the bells during the opening hour to honor Saint Junipero Serra, the actual founder of the San Juan Capistrano Mission.
We were a little early to experience the miracle of the “Swallows,” which takes place every March 19, also known as St. Joseph’s Day. In the book Capistrano Nights, Father St. John O’Sullivan (1914-1933 pastor) explains how the swallows kept returning to the Mission, which is a tender story about his offering them shelter when a shopkeeper shooed them away.
There are many opportunities to take in the history on your walk through the Mission, including learning about the legacy of Saint Serra, whose missionary training established nine of the 21 California missions. There’s also art from the early 1900’s to 2016. There is also the Serra Chapel on-site (1782) which has beautiful stained glass throughout as well as red glassed candles you can light on your way into the church.
And let’s not forget Mother Mary as you enter.
It’s a beautiful place to spend an afternoon and I’d highly recommend visiting it if you’re in the San Diego area.
There’s also a fish pond and water fountain as well towards the entrance; it’s ever so peaceful here.
I’d also suggest walking the town, where you’ll find art galleries and antique stores as well as specialty shops. Parking is relatively easy on the street or in a parking lot a couple of blocks away if you go mid-week. Visit their website to learn more. Be sure to check out our California page for more fun things to do in the state.
Renee Blodgett is the Founder and Managing Editor of We Blog the World, a global travel, culture and lifestyle publication exploring the world through the lens of meaningful experiences, human connection and cultural depth. Having lived in 10 countries and traveled to 95, Renee has spent much of her life immersed in the people, traditions, landscapes and ideas that shape how we experience the world.
Since launching We Blog the World in 2007, she has written and produced extensive editorial coverage spanning boutique and luxury travel, culinary experiences, arts and culture, wellness, adventure, technology, spiritual traditions and transformative travel. Her work is rooted in the belief that travel is about more than where we go—it is also about what a place, culture or encounter awakens within us.
Renee brings more than three decades of experience across journalism, photography, media, brand strategy, technology, wellness and global storytelling. She has worked with companies and organizations around the world on brand positioning, communications, product launches, media strategy, speaker positioning and storytelling. Through Blue Soul Media, she works with authors, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and purpose-driven brands to clarify their message and expand their impact, which includes speaker coaching/training for high-profile stages such as TED and bringing authors’ work to market while retaining authors rights.
She is also the co-founder of Blue Soul Earth, an educational platform exploring consciousness, ancient wisdom, spirituality, healing and the intersection between science and the nature of reality. Renee is the producer and host of the award-winning Blue Soul CHATS, a conversational series bringing together leading voices in science, technology, consciousness, wellness and spirituality.
Her growing body of work also includes Blue Soul Living, which extends her interest in consciousness and well-being into the spaces we inhabit, exploring how intentional design, energy and environment can support greater harmony and connection.
Renee is the award-winning co-author of the bestselling Magdalene’s Journey and founder of the Magdalene Collection, inspired by women’s voices, stories and wisdom across cultures and generations.
A longtime photographer and storyteller, Renee has documented people, places and cultures around the world and produced photographic collections focused on destinations including the Galápagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome and Ecuador. She also co-founded Traveling Geeks, an international initiative that brought entrepreneurs, journalists, creators and technology leaders together with their counterparts in other countries to exchange ideas and explore innovation across cultures.
Renee’s work has been recognized by Forbes, the United Nations and others for her influence in media and social storytelling. Across her work in travel, media, consciousness and culture, a common thread remains: curiosity about the world, the stories that connect us and the ways meaningful experiences can change how we see ourselves and one another.
